The Ultimate Guide to Treating Male Yeast Infections

Yeast infections are an uncomfortable genital condition that affects around 1 in 30 uncircumcised men in their lifetime.

Although this condition isn’t usually serious, it can negatively impact your quality of life and potentially contribute to other health complications if left untreated.

That’s why seeking professional care for yeast infections is essential,

Understanding how to manage male yeast infection symptoms and address the condition can also help in preventing recurring issues and allow you to lead a healthier life.

A Brief Overview of Male Yeast Infections

A penile yeast infection — also known as Candida balanitis — is a common condition that develops when an excessive amount of yeast grows in the genital area.

Factors such as a weakened immune system, taking antibiotics, and poor hygiene can all contribute to fungal overgrowth, which may lead to an infection.

Common symptoms of a male yeast infections

Yeast infections in men are known to cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Itchiness and irritation on the head of the penis
• Redness under the foreskin
• Swelling around the genital area
• Unusual and foul-smelling discharge under the foreskin
• Pain or discomfort during urination and sexual intercourse
• Burning sensation while urinating

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor for a professional evaluation and diagnosis.

These symptoms may also indicate more serious conditions — like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — that require proper medical care to avoid further complications.

Can Male Yeast Infections Be Treated?

Yeast infections — in both men and women — are highly treatable and can usually be resolved without medical intervention.

However, it’s still important to see a healthcare provider for a professional diagnosis first.

This will help you understand the severity of your infection and will determine the type of treatment applicable for you.

What are the Treatment Options for Penile Yeast Infections?

There are a number of different male yeast infection treatment options to help you get rid of fungal overgrowth.

Depending on how severe your condition is, your doctor may recommend a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) and home remedies alongside lifestyle changes.

In more serious cases, you might need to undergo medical procedures to avoid further health complications.

Topical treatments

The most common way to treat yeast infections is with topical products — like an antifungal cream — that can be applied directly to the affected area.

Topical treatments are usually available as OTC medications and may include:

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF, Canesten, Mycelex)
• Miconazole (Monistat, Cruex, Desenex, Ting Antifungal)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil)
• Imidazole (Selezen)

These products all work by eliminating excess yeast by eliminating excess fungi. They also help to relieve uncomfortable symptoms such as itching and irritation.

Most antifungal creams are well-tolerated, and experiencing any adverse reactions is rare. If you do have a bad reaction to any of these treatments, notify your doctor as soon as possible.

Home remedies

Home remedies may be useful to reduce uncomfortable symptoms and provide a sense of relief.

However, they may not always be effective enough to eliminate a yeast infection completely.

It’s also important to consult a healthcare professional before using any home remedies to ensure that they are a safe option for you.

Common treatment options include using natural antifungal products — like tea tree oil, yogurt, or garlic. These products are typically ingested orally or applied to the genital area to help combat yeast overgrowth.

You should never insert any of these into your genitals, as this may worsen your symptoms and prolong the infection.

Medical treatments

In severe cases — such as if OTC treatments are ineffective or if your infection is recurrent — medical intervention may be necessary.

This usually includes undergoing an adult circumcision procedure, which involves removing the foreskin to help prevent infection.

Getting circumcised may also significantly reduce your risk of developing other diseases — like STIs and HIV/AIDS — by as much as 60%.

Lifestyle changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can also help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms and prevent recurring yeast infections.

These changes may include:

• Maintaining good genital hygiene by pulling back your foreskin to wash and dry the area properly

• Wearing loose-fitting clothing and underwear made from breathable material, like cotton, that helps to prevent moisture from building up under the foreskin

• Following a healthy diet that limits the consumption of sugary foods and refined carbohydrates that can contribute to the growth of yeast

• Avoiding using scented soaps or gels to wash your genitals, as these products may irritate the area and promote an overgrowth of fungus

• Using barrier methods — like condoms or diaphragms — when having sex to prevent spreading the infection

It’s important to note that while these lifestyle changes can be effective for reducing your risk of infection, you may also need to use topical products to fully overcome it.

Depending on your lifestyle, your doctor could recommend more specific changes — such as avoiding alcohol consumption or quitting smoking — to help alleviate symptoms.

If you’ve never had a yeast infection before, implementing these steps can be a proactive way to avoid it and ensure you live a healthy life.

How Long Does it Take for a Yeast Infection to Resolve?

The duration of a yeast infection can vary depending on its severity, the treatment method you use, and individual health conditions.

In most cases and with the appropriate treatment, mild infections will clear up within a week.

A more severe or recurrent yeast infection may take longer to resolve, and you might need to treat them for a few weeks before symptoms subside completely.

If you are treating a serious yeast infection, it’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and guidance.

This helps to ensure proper treatment while preventing the infection from becoming worse and causing further health complications.

It’s also important to implement healthy lifestyle changes — such as practicing good hygiene — that could help speed up your recovery.

When Should You See a Doctor About Your Yeast Infection?

It’s recommended to make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect that you may have a yeast infection or if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.

You should also see your doctor as soon as possible if you:

• Experience persistent symptoms that don’t improve with treatment
• Experience extreme discomfort, such as severe itching, inflammation, or pain
• Develop unusual symptoms or complications, like sores or blisters
• Have never had a yeast infection before and are uncertain about the cause of your symptoms
• Have underlying health conditions that may affect your yeast infection treatment approach

Seeking professional care for a yeast infection allows your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis about its cause and rule out any underlying conditions that might contribute to it.

Once you receive your diagnosis, your doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment method to help you overcome your infection.

Where Can You Learn More About Treating Male Yeast Infections?

If you’re concerned about your symptoms or want to know more about treating fungal infections, LifeMD is here to help.

LifeMD can connect you to a team of medical professionals that can assist you with information and provide guidance on overcoming a yeast infection — all from the comfort of your home.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about treating yeast infections to start your journey to a healthier life.